The boys (a.k.a. my husband and son) had plans, so my daughter and I decided to go on a little impromptu mother-daughter trip. The options were: the Moab area, Bryce Canyon NP, or Zion NP and Kanab area. The last time I was in Zion National Park was in September 2018, Kanab on the other hand nearly 21 years ago (!!). So, we decided to revisit the South-West corner of Utah and it didn’t disappoint.
Long weekend trip
We had the whole 3 days planned out and it was simply the perfect little get-away.
We managed to do 1 long hike, 3 shorter ones, and 1 “curiosity” hike. This blog is about our long hike in Zion NP, the others will be discussed in other blogs 😉
Winter hiking in Zion National Park
Zion National Park in winter is different. First of all, the shuttle bus doesn’t run on the scenic road through the canyon. The park is fully open to personal vehicles, however, if the parking lots in the park get full, park rangers will close the gate to the scenic road. So, it is highly recommended you get to the park early.
We got in at about 8 a.m., parked, packed our backpacks with snacks and water, and started our hike around 8.30 a.m. The night before we decided to do the trail that leads to Angels Landing. Since I’m not a thrill-seeker, nor do I have mountain goat climbing skills, Angels Landing is not really on my bucket list. But we did make it to Scout Landing, the spot where park rangers will check your permit to continue to Angels Landing. And now I understand why permits are required to hike Angels Landing. I can’t imagine holding on to a chain while climbing on the side of a cliff, I’m not that adventurous.
What to expect when you hike to Scout Lookout in Zion National Park
The trailhead is located at Shuttle Stop 6, or The Grotto parking lot. It starts off really mellow, on a sandy trail along the North Fork of the Virgin River, the bottom of Zion Canyon. After that, you’ll hit the first set of switchbacks at a grade of 12.9% with steep drop-offs. If you’re afraid of heights, you’ll probably not like this part and you may even want to quit. But try to persevere, because the views at the end are so worth it and it’s a very rewarding hike! The switchbacks and most of the trail is paved, a bit like a wide sidewalk, and there’s room for people to pass.
After the first set of switchbacks, you enter a second canyon, completely hidden from the road below (about 240 m/787 ft lower). This was my first “WOW”-moment on this hike. You’re in a narrow gorge with steep canyon walls on both sides. A park ranger sign asks you to be quiet, this is a nesting area for the Mexican Spotted Owl. These protected owls are sensitive animals, loud noises disturb them and make it hard to communicate, find food, and feed their young. So, we carried on silently in this stunning canyon. On this stretch of the hike, the path is practically flat.
Slowly the path starts to climb again. Until you hit Walters Wiggles… which is basically a wall of switchbacks. Boy, this was steep, almost like climbing stairs. The grade on this part is about 18%.
And then comes the reward, my second “WOW”-moment… you made it to Scout Lookout! The views!!! 360 degrees of splendor!!! The floor of Zion Canyon is way below, where vehicles look like tiny ants making their way along the scenic road.
Scout Lookout is where the park rangers will check your permit for Angels Landing (if you were lucky enough to get one!). One of the rangers suggested we continue just 30 minutes north on the West Rim trail. Apparently from the mesa above you have a great view of Angels Landing. So that’s what we did, after eating a banana, catching our breath, and simply enjoying the view.
The park ranger was right! After a short hike up the West Rim trail, we stopped on the mesa where we had a grand view of Angels Landing in the distance and the people climbing it.
Fun fact…
To my surprise, there were toilets at Scout Lookout! But no trash cans, so pack it in and pack it out – let’s keep our natural treasures pristine!
Final thoughts
Great hike, highly recommend- if you’re not afraid of heights and are in otherwise good physical health. This is a strenuous hike that will get your heart pumping.
Before starting your hike, always check the National Park Service website for weather and trail closure updates!!
If you have questions or maybe you’ve done this hike and you have comments, get in touch via info@utahcalling.com
The logistics
Trailhead: The Grotto (or shuttle stop #6), follow the West Rim Trail signs
Length (round trip): 4.2 mi/6.2 km
This is considered a strenuous hike (it’s steep and there are some serious drop-offs). Always pack plenty of water and some healthy snacks!
What we packed: this was a winter hike, so we dressed in layers. Our hats and gloves came in handy too. I also packed my microspikes, in case we encountered ice on the trail. We had plenty of water and fruit, granola bars, elk jerky, and mixed nuts for snacks.
Accommodations: We stayed in the Best Western Plus Zion West Hotel in La Verkin, a small town about 25 minutes West by car from Zion National Park. They had great winter rates (breakfast included!) so we didn’t hesitate. The hotel has a pool and hot tub, a small gym, and a laundry facility. Breakfast was the usual American fare (hot and cold options). The hotel was a great “base camp” for our hiking weekend due to its location.
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